The SM-3 KW, which was shipped in April from Anaheim, Calif., to Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Ariz., provides defensive intercept capability against short- to medium-range ballistic missiles. Boeing is teamed with Raytheon, the SM-3 prime contractor, to build the Kinetic Warhead.

"This milestone is a significant achievement for the Boeing team," said Debra Rub-Zenko, vice president for Boeing Integrated Missile Defense. "We are committed to providing the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency with the highest quality products to protect our nation and allies with a robust, sea-based missile defense system."

The SM-3 is fired from U.S. Navy ships equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense weapon system. The SM-3 Block 1A upgrade provides the missile with several improvements, including increased reliability and supportability.

Boeing has been partnered with Raytheon on the SM-3 program since 1996, and is under subcontract to integrate and test the KW hardware. Boeing is responsible for the KW avionics, guidance and control hardware and software, as well as the ejection subsystem. In addition to SM-3 round integration, Raytheon provides the KW infrared seeker, signal and image processor, and the integrated KW software.

In addition to its work on the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense program, Boeing holds key roles in several other elements of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense System architecture. Boeing is prime contractor for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense system and the Airborne Laser. It also develops and produces the seeker for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor.

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